---
name: x230
host: x230
description: "Lenovo ThinkPad X230/X230i hardware facts. Use only for explicit ThinkPad X230/X230i hardware questions: ports, devices, storage, display, battery, docking, IDs. Exclude X230 Tablet and unrelated X230 names."
---

# ThinkPad X230 Hardware

Hardware only.
Do not infer distro, boot mode, installed software, config, firmware policy, or
health.
X230 Tablet is different; verify shared parts.

## Identity

- Family:
  Lenovo ThinkPad X230 / X230i; 12.5-inch Ivy Bridge ultraportable.
- PSREF machine type groups:
  `2320`, `2324`, `2325`.
- Typical DMI:
  `sys_vendor=LENOVO`; `product_version` / `product_family` = `ThinkPad X230`;
  `product_name` / `board_name` = model, e.g. `23255B2`.
- Platform:
  Intel 3rd-gen Core, Mobile Intel QM77 Express chipset.

## CPU, GPU, Chipset

CPU variants documented by Lenovo PSREF:

| CPU      | C/T | Base | L3   | Turbo |
| -------- | --- | ---- | ---- | ----- |
| i5-3210M | 2/4 | 2.50 | 3 MB | 3.10  |
| i5-3230M | 2/4 | 2.60 | 3 MB | 3.20  |
| i5-3320M | 2/4 | 2.60 | 3 MB | 3.30  |
| i5-3360M | 2/4 | 2.80 | 3 MB | 3.50  |
| i7-3520M | 2/4 | 2.90 | 4 MB | 3.60  |

- GPU:
  Intel HD Graphics 4000 in documented PSREF X230 CPUs; PCI `8086:0166`.
- Chipset:
  Mobile Intel QM77 Express.
- Common chipset IDs:
  xHCI `8086:1e31`; SATA AHCI `8086:1e03`; HDA `8086:1e20`; SMBus `8086:1e22`;
  MEI `8086:1e3a`; QM77 LPC `8086:1e55`.
- CPU:
  Intel VT-x; AMT/vPro only on some models.

## Memory

- Max:
  16 GB.
- Slots:
  two 204-pin SO-DIMM.
- Type:
  DDR3 / PC3-12800, 1600 MHz, non-ECC, dual-channel capable.

## Display and Graphics Outputs

- Internal:
  12.5 inch, 16:9, 1366 x 768, LED, anti-glare.
- Panel variants:
  TN; IPS/wide-viewing by model/market.
- PSREF base panel:
  200 nits, 300:1 contrast.
- Outputs:
  VGA DB-15; Mini DisplayPort; dual independent display.
- Max external:
  MiniDP 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz; MiniDP to single-link DVI 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz; VGA
  2048 x 1536 @ 75 Hz.

## Storage and Expansion

- Drive bay:
  one removable 2.5-inch 7 mm SATA bay.
- Factory storage:
  SATA SSDs; 2.5-inch SATA HDDs.
- Lenovo speeds:
  SSD options SATA 6.0 Gb/s; HDD options SATA 3.0 Gb/s.
- Internal slots:
  two PCI Express Mini Card slots.
- WLAN slot:
  half-size Mini PCIe.
- WWAN slot:
  full-size Mini PCIe; Lenovo service docs identify it as WWAN or mSATA SSD
  location when mSATA SSD is equipped.
- ExpressCard:
  ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54.
- Card reader:
  SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC.
- Docking:
  ThinkPad Ultrabase Series 3; Ultrabay Slim devices via Ultrabase.

## Network and Radios

- Ethernet:
  Intel 82579LM Gigabit, PCIe x1 PHY; PCI `8086:1502`.
- Factory WLAN:
  Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2200 2x2 b/g/n; Advanced-N 6205 2x2 a/b/g/n;
  Ultimate-N 6300 on some PSREF models.
- WWAN:
  many models WWAN-upgradable; some shipped Qualcomm Gobi 3000.
- Bluetooth:
  4.0 wireless; common ThinkPad module Broadcom BCM20702 USB `0a5c:21e6`.

## Ports and Physical I/O

- Ports:
  two USB 3.0; one powered USB 2.0; VGA DB-15; Mini DisplayPort; RJ-45; combo
  headphone/mic; SD/MMC reader; ExpressCard/34/54; bottom Series 3 dock
  connector; security keyhole.
- Input:
  6-row spill-resistant keyboard; optional backlight; ThinkLight; TrackPoint;
  buttonless multi-touch UltraNav touchpad; volume/mute buttons.
- Optional fingerprint:
  palm-rest AuthenTec swipe sensor.
- Optional camera:
  720p integrated.
- Audio:
  dual-array mics; stereo speakers 1 W x 2; Realtek ALC3202 codec.

## Battery, Power, Chassis

- Batteries:
  4-cell, 6-cell, 9-cell Li-ion; Lenovo hardware authentication.
- Capacities:
  4-cell 28.8 Wh; 6-cell 62.4 Wh; 9-cell 93.6 Wh.
- Optional slice/external battery:
  64 Wh, Lenovo `0A36280`.
- Adapter:
  common 65 W; 90 W supported/used with some dock/accessory scenarios.
- Size without Ultrabase, 4/6-cell:
  305 x 206.5 x 19.0-26.6 mm; 12.0 x 8.13 x 0.75-1.05 in.
- Weight:
  from 1.34 kg / 2.96 lb with 4-cell; 1.50 kg / 3.31 lb with 6-cell; 1.67 kg /
  3.67 lb with 9-cell.
- Materials:
  display cover magnesium + PCABS; bottom magnesium alloy.

## Common Hardware IDs

- Intel HD Graphics 4000:
  PCI `8086:0166`.
- Intel 82579LM Gigabit Ethernet:
  PCI `8086:1502`.
- Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205:
  PCI `8086:0085`.
- Ricoh MMC/SD host controller:
  PCI `1180:e822`.
- Broadcom BCM20702 Bluetooth 4.0 ThinkPad module:
  USB `0a5c:21e6`.
- Camera varies:
  Chicony `04f2:b2eb`; Bison `5986:02d2` examples.

## Variant Cautions

- Do not assume camera, fingerprint reader, backlit keyboard, WWAN, IPS panel,
  AMT/vPro, Ultrabase, or a specific WLAN card.
- Do not infer aftermarket storage/internal card layout from family alone.
  Verify installed devices for physical troubleshooting.
- Do not apply X230 Tablet hinge, digitizer, battery, display, or chassis facts
  to non-tablet X230 unless verified.

## Sources

- Lenovo ThinkPad X230 Product Specifications Reference, withdrawn PSREF PDF:
  `https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/withdrawnbook/ThinkPad_X230.pdf`
- ThinkWiki X230 hardware overview:
  `https://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:X230`
- Lenovo support service topic:
  PCI Express Mini Card for wireless WAN or mSATA SSD removal/installation,
  ThinkPad X230/X230i.